A previously undescribed plant-microbe interaction between a root-colonizing Streptomyces species, S. lydicus WYEC108, and the legume Pisum sativum is described. The interaction is potentially of great importance to the health and growth in nature of this nodulating legume. The root-colonizing soil actinomycete S. lydicus WYEC108 influences pea root nodulation by increasing root nodulation frequency, possibly at the level of infection by Rhizobium spp. S. lydicus also colonizes and then sporulates within the surface cell layers of the nodules. Colonization leads to an increase in the average size of the nodules that form and improves the vigor of bacteroids within the nodules by enhancing nodular assimilation of iron and possibly other soil nutrients. Bacteroid accumulation of the carbon storage polymer, poly-␤-hydroxybutyrate, is reduced in colonized nodules. Root nodules of peas taken from agricultural fields in the Palouse hills of northern Idaho were also found to be colonized by actinomycete hyphae. We hypothesize that root and nodule colonization is one of several mechanisms by which Streptomyces acts as a naturally occurring plant growth-promoting bacterium in pea and possibly other leguminous plants.Streptomyces lydicus WYEC108 is a root-colonizing actinomycete originally isolated and studied for its properties as an antifungal biocontrol agent. This strain is capable of mycoparasitic colonization of fungal root pathogens and excretion of antifungal metabolites within plant rhizospheres (16,62). Recently, we demonstrated that strain WYEC108 is also a plant growth-promoting bacterium in the absence of fungal pathogen challenge. This may be due to the ability of strain WYEC108 to produce hydroxamate-type siderophores and/or other plant growth-promoting metabolites in the rhizosphere (25). Streptomyces spp. have been previously described as rhizosphere-colonizing bacteria (37, 38), antifungal biocontrol agents useful in controlling fungal root diseases (51), in vitro siderophore producers, and in vitro producers of plant growthpromoting hormones (25). Plant root exudates stimulate rhizosphere growth of actinomycetes that are strongly antagonistic to fungal pathogens, while the actinomycetes utilize root exudates for growth and synthesis of antimicrobial substances (16,62). In addition, actinomycetes synthesize an array of biodegradative enzymes, including chitinases (9, 23, 35), glucanases (18,26,29,32,59,60), peroxidases (48), and other enzymes possibly involved in mycoparasitic activity. Yet, the overall importance, physiological activities, and symbiotic roles of actinomycetes in situ within plant rhizospheres remain little studied at the biochemical or mechanistic levels. We believe that Streptomyces are far more important rhizosphere bacteria than has been generally recognized.Important to the symbiotic relationship between plants and microbes is the acquisition of iron. Although abundant in nature, under aerobic conditions at a neutral or alkaline pH, iron is found in highly insoluble forms not readil...

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The dynamic interaction of planktonic and biofilm cells of mucoid Pseudononas aeruginosa with tobramycin and piperacillin was investigated in a chemostat system. The results indicated that planktonic and young biofilm cells of the 2-day-old chemostat culture of P. aeruginosa were susceptible to killing by chemostatcontrolled doses of either 250 ,ug of piperacillin per ml plus 5 ,ug of tobramycin per ml or 500 ,ug of piperacillin per ml plus 5 jig of tobramycin per ml. Complete eradication of the planktonic and young biofilm cells was observed after exposure of the cells to six chemostat-controlled doses of these antibiotics at 8-h intervals for 7 days. Regrowth of the organism was not observed after the termination of antibiotic therapy on day 7. A different picture was observed when antibiotic treatment was initiated on day 10 after inoculation. Viable old biofilm cells were reduced to approximately 20%o after exposure to the chemostat-controlled doses of500 jLg ofpiperacillin per ml plus 5 jig of tobramycin per ml. Complete eradication of old biofilm cells could not be achieved, and regrowth of the organism occurred after the termination of antibiotic therapy. These data suggest that young biofilm cells of mucoid P. aeruginosa can be effectively eradicated with the combination of piperacillin and tobramycin, while old biofilm cells are very resistant to these antibiotics and eradication of old biofilm cells is not achievable with the chemostat-controlled doses of piperacillin and tobramycin used in this study.

Bacterial cellulose (BC) serves as a molecular glue to facilitate intra- and inter-domain interactions in nature. Biosynthesis of BC-containing biofilms occurs in a variety of Proteobacteria that inhabit diverse ecological niches. The enzymatic and regulatory systems responsible for the polymerization, exportation, and regulation of BC are equally as diverse. Though the magnitude and environmental consequences of BC production are species-specific, the common role of BC-containing biofilms is to establish close contact with a preferred host to facilitate efficient host–bacteria interactions. Universally, BC aids in attachment, adherence, and subsequent colonization of a substrate. Bi-directional interactions influence host physiology, bacterial physiology, and regulation of BC biosynthesis, primarily through modulation of intracellular bis-(3′→5′)-cyclic diguanylate (c-di-GMP) levels. Depending on the circumstance, BC producers exhibit a pathogenic or symbiotic relationship with plant, animal, or fungal hosts. Rhizobiaceae species colonize plant roots, Pseudomonadaceae inhabit the phyllosphere, Acetobacteriaceae associate with sugar-loving insects and inhabit the carposphere, Enterobacteriaceae use fresh produce as vehicles to infect animal hosts, and Vibrionaceae, particularly Aliivibrio fischeri, colonize the light organ of squid. This review will highlight the diversity of the biosynthesis and regulation of BC in nature by discussing various examples of Proteobacteria that use BC-containing biofilms to facilitate host–bacteria interactions. Through discussion of current data we will establish new directions for the elucidation of BC biosynthesis, its regulation and its ecophysiological roles.

Rock varnish from Arizona's Whipple Mountains harbors a microbial community containing about 108 microorganisms g−1 of varnish. Analyses of varnish phospholipid fatty acids and rRNA gene libraries reveal a community comprised of mostly Proteobacteria but also including Actinobacteria, eukaryota, and a few members of the Archaea. Rock varnish represents a significant niche for microbial colonization.